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Presented November 12, 2006

Pleasing our neighbor

Romans 15:1-13

Tonight we continue our study of the book of Romans.  The last few lessons have addressed Romans 14 which deals with Christian liberties.  In that chapter we have concluded that in matters of liberty (things about which God is indifferent) we MUST respect the differences of our brethren.  We have noted that this chapter does not apply to matters of morality (such as M-D-R) nor doctrinal matters (such as the plan of salvation).  Chapter 15 Paul is actually continuing his admonition of these matters, but he appeals to an important principal that applies to ALL things we do – the quest for unity.  We have noted that earlier in this book there is division between Jewish and Gentile Christians.  Paul has noted that all are saved the same way – by faith in Jesus Christ.  But how are they to work together?  They HAVE TO desire and understand unity.  And that is the admonition of our passage.  

This is the final appeal Paul makes before turning to personal remarks.  We are approaching the conclusion of this book (though there are some more observations to make).

I.                     The strong are to bear with the scruples of the weak (1)

a.        Again be reminded that the strong here are simply those who can do something without doubting.  It is not a matter of one being better than or superior to the other.

b.       To bear with means, “to take up in order to carry or bear, to put upon oneself to be carried…” (Ws Dictionary).  It is interesting that Paul is actually calling upon “strong” brethren to SUPPORT or carry those who are “weak” in these matters.

c.        The word scruples is also translated weaknesses (NASU) or infirmities (KJV), and it has reference to one who is lacks strength or is infirm.  It is used ONLY in this text and has reference to one whose conscience will NOT allow him or her to do something that you see nothing wrong with. 

d.       Considering this it is obvious we are NOT dealing with those carried away in error or sinful activities.  NOR is it dealing with doctrinal matters that God has clearly defined.  We are NOT to “bear” with such things – 2 John 9-10, Romans 16:17, Ephesians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 5:11, etc.

e.        What I see in this command is two things:

                                                   i.      In these matters, just because you can do something with a clear conscience doesn’t mean everyone else has to fall in line with you, NOR are they evil or inferior to you if they don’t agree with you in these matters.

                                                  ii.      Not only are you to tolerate these differences, you are to defend a brother’s right to differ with you in a particular matter.  For example:  “I know that you don’t believe you can eat meat and you have the right to believe that way” AND you would defend his right in these things to others.  You (who are strong) BEAR them.

II.                   We are not to seek to please ourselves (1b-2)

a.        Emphasizing this further Paul next says, you are not to please yourself in these matters.   The idea of that word implies the idea of service as you consider the interests of others.   In other words, you seek to accommodate your brother. 

b.       The goal of this is given in vs. 2 – we are to seek to edify our brethren.  The word edify means to build up.  Such is a primary responsibility of brethren toward one another. – Ephesians 4:16 notes that the body (the church) will build itself up when every part does its share.
Hebrews 10:24 – calls upon us to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.

c.        Consider also passages that deal with us NOT pleasing ourselves.
Philippians 2:3-4 points this out clearly.
So does 1 Corinthians 10:24 – which says we are to consider the well being of the other.

d.       While it sounds redundant, we must continually remind ourselves that if unity IS to prevail, EVERYONE involved needs a godly attitude.

III.                 Consider the example of Jesus (3-4)

a.        In vs. 3 Paul makes reference to the example of Jesus.  First he notes that Christ did not please Himself (same word as above verses).  Consider Matthew 20:28 which notes that Jesus, the Son of Man, did not come to be served but to serve.  And we ought to think about HOW HE served.

b.       Paul quotes from Psalm 69:9, a psalm of David in which he is crying out to God because he is being treated unjustly.  That verse says, “Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”  David notes that as he tries to please God, he is still mistreated and abused.

c.        Paul in our text applies this verse to Jesus.  (NOTE: The first part is quoted of Him in John 2:17 – where it too is applied to Jesus.)  In this statement, Paul is noting the character of Jesus as an example for us to learn from.  See 1 Peter 2:21-24.  He was greatly abused – leading eventually to a death on the cross – FOR US, not for Himself.

d.       NOW if Jesus was willing to endure such sufferings, persecutions and abuse for us, can’t we put up with some differences in matters of liberty with one another?

e.        Vs. 4 notes how ALL of God word, even those things written before are preserved for our learning to give us hope.  Even though the Old Law has been done away with, it is still very useful.  We can learn many things from it including the attitude one needs to be pleasing to God in dealing with one another as brethren.

IV.                Strive to be like minded and receive one another (5-7)

a.        Paul desires are here clearly defined for these brethren (and us!).  He wants unity.

b.       He wants the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-21.

c.        Philippians 1:27 says, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,”

d.       1 Peter 3:8-9 says, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”

e.        I am reminded of the words of David (cf. vs. 4 above) in another psalm.  Psalm 133:1-2 says, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like precious oil upon the head, running down the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments…”

f.         The goal is mentioned in vs. 6 – That we may with ONE mouth glorify God.  IF we are not united we cannot fulfill this command to its fullness. 
1 Corinthians 1:10 calls for unity by speaking the same thing.

g.       Receive one another, as Christ received us (7)
Think about this a moment.  HOW did Christ receive us?  IT was NOT when we were innocent or like Him in all things or because we had been living to glorify Him.  It was IN OUR SINS.  It came while we were still ungodly.  Recall Romans 5:8.

h.       Brethren, this unity cannot be stressed strongly enough.  I am convinced that IF we love God as we ought to AND IF we love our brethren the way we ought to we will find TRUE unity, WITHOUT COMPROMISING God’s word.  But that will ONLY happen if we allow for liberties where God has not spoken! 
AND our willingness to WORK TOWARD unity will enable us to teach others and build each other up.

V.                  God’s intent for all mankind  (8-12)

a.        In these verses Paul begins wrapping up his discourse by giving several quotes from the Old Testament concerning the hope of the Gentiles.

b.       In vs. 8 Paul notes that Christ is a servant to circumcision for the truth of God.  IN that statement, Paul is noting that Jesus served the Law, in fact He came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17) and thereby He has confirmed the promises made to the fathers, going back all the way to Abraham and possibly before that.

c.        Vs. 9 quotes 2 Samuel 22:50 (and Psalm 18:49) in which he praises God for deliverance from Saul and all his enemies (vs. 1).  He notes that he will confess Him among the Gentiles.

d.       Vs. 10 quotes Moses as he concludes his life and service and says farewell to Israel.  He notes that there will be cause for the Gentiles to rejoice when the Lord avenges His people.

e.        Vs. 11 quotes Psalm 117:1, a very short psalm in which Gentiles are called upon to praise the Lord.

f.         Vs. 12, finally, quotes Isaiah 11:10 which is a prophecy concerning Jesus in which Gentiles will seek the Lord and find rest in Him.

g.       NOTE: An interesting fact about these 4 quotes is the fact that Paul quotes from the psalms, the book of Moses (the Law) and Isaiah who was a prophet.  In the Old Testament this represents the three divisions THEY gave to the Old Testament.  Consider Luke 24:44 where Jesus spoke of prophecies concerning Him.  Thus Paul goes to every part of the Old Law to validate God’s intent for the Gentiles. (NOTE: These quotes are taken from the LXX, the Septuagint, which was the Greek translation of the Hebrew text).

We conclude this study with vs. 13 which says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Paul wrote this letter because He wanted brethren to have peace and enjoy one another with an abundant hope.  His prayer to God was that such would be accomplished.  What about us?  Is that really OUR prayer as well?  Think about it!